Character of St. Olaf 2 1 7 



greatly differing in character, the latter strong-willed 

 and independent, and behind-hand in their poli- 

 tical education, a single monarch could only main- 

 tain his rule by unwearied activity, and by a courage 

 which bordered on cruelty. King Olaf the Saint had 

 owed his elevation, and continued to owe his throne 

 in no small measure to the trusty and highly-trained, 

 well-armed body of mercenary troops that he had 

 brought with him into the country. We see him, 

 surrounded by his guard, making constant progresses 

 throughout his dominions, — now surprising a most 

 dangerous conspiracy of five ex-kings in the upland 

 country, — now making inquisitorial search for traces of 

 heathenism in Throndhjem district, or in far northern 

 regions of Halogaland — regions which his predecessors 

 had left very much to themselves. He owed his 

 after-title of saint to the zeal with which he stamped 

 out heathenism, a zeal for God which, as was contended 

 by his panegyrists, brought about the rise of his discon- 

 tented bonders, and his own final defeat and death. 



In reality Olaf was much less of a saint than of a 

 firm and capable administrator. He had not, we have 

 said, the brilliant person of his namesake, the son of 

 Tryggvi. But he probably surpassed him in solid 

 mental gifts, and in consistency of purpose. Certain it 

 is that, without the aid of Olaf Tryggvason's personal 

 advantages, St. Olaf has succeeded in winning a great 

 place in history. Good luck accompanied the earlier 

 years of his reign. He took advantage of a disputed 

 succession in the earldom of Orkney and Caithness, to 

 obtain the homage of both disputants, to whom he 

 dictated the terms of a settlement. A famine in the 



